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Schemmel recalls Sioux City crash on anniversary

Schemmel recalls Sioux City crash on anniversary

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SAN DIEGO -- Rockies broadcaster Jerry Schemmel was one of the survivors of the violent crash landing of United flight 232, a Denver-to-Chicago flight that broke apart during a crash landing in Sioux City, Iowa, 23 years ago Thursday.

Schemmel was then the assistant commissioner of the Continental Basketball Association. League commissioner Jay Ramsdell was one of 112 people who died. To commemorate the event annually, Schemmel's tradition is to ride 112 miles on his bicycle. But because the ride didn't fit with the travel plans, Schemmel came up with a creative memorial.

"I did 112 minutes on the stationary bike at the hotel last night -- 112 people died in our crash 23 years ago yesterday," said Schemmel, who escaped the plane, then climbed back in to save an 11-month-old child in the crash aftermath. "My personal tribute on the anniversary."